Beautiful and rare Sprint-6 Lemans with a 4-speed. Exceptional older restoration still in fantastic condition. Desirable Hurst wheels with new radial tires. PHS documentation. A rare and fun alternative to the garden-variety GTO.

John Z. DeLorean was famous for a lot of things, but most of all he knew cars. Clearly inspired by his time in Europe, he came to appreciate the appeal of an engine that could rev. In particular, inherently balanced inline-6 engines used in the great sports cars of the 1950s and ‘60s were the inspiration for the Sprint-6, which used an overhead camshaft to help it breathe better. And with less weight over the nose, any car with the Sprint-6 in it was a tidy handler. Unfortunately, the somewhat exotic six-cylinder powerplant was more expensive than the base 326 cubic inch V8, so relatively few were built. Today that means cars like this gorgeous 1966 Pontiac Lemans Sprint-6 stand out in a crowded field and the smooth-revving six is an engine that might just feel a little more contemporary here in the 21st century. The restoration is perhaps 10 or 12 years old, but the Madeira Maroon Sport Coupe bodywork still shows quite well. Excellent panel gaps and no evidence of patching or cutting mean that this car probably led an easy life. The six means it wasn’t stressed and torqued on the racetrack, so it still feels tight and well-assembled, which isn’t something we can say about a lot of GTOs. There are a few blemishes and signs of age in the finish, but nothing that requires attention and it certainly doesn’t detract from the awesome look. Add in some high-quality chrome, those rocker stripes, and subtle Sprint-6 emblems and you get a car that will make everyone do a double-take.

The black vinyl interior is standard Pontiac fare, and they were doing a pretty good job of making sporty into standard equipment. Bucket seats, a woodgrained dash, and that lovely steering wheel all add a European sports car feel to the Lemans. Everything works, including the factory tach, and there’s an upgraded digital radio in the center of the dash. This car also comes by its “HURST” emblems honestly, as there’s a long Hurst lever atop the 4-speed manual gearbox, and it shifts beautifully. The upholstery, door panels, and carpets are new and the headliner was recently replaced (it’s a little wrinkled but it looks better in person without the flash photography). There’s also a correctly finished trunk with spatter paint and a new mat set, as well as a full-sized spare tire with jack assembly and cover.

The 230 cubic inch Sprint-6 was a cool piece of engineering. Featuring a belt-driven overhead camshaft, it’s quite contemporary in its specification, although the big 4-barrel carburetor feeding it is definitely ‘60s muscle car. It wears correct Pontiac Turquoise engine enamel with red details, along with the traditional louvered air cleaner assembly atop the carburetor. Service access is excellent, as you’d expect, and the hardware is robust because it was built to rev, so go ahead and have some fun. There’s plenty of torque on tap and it makes great 6-cylinder sounds, so while it’s certainly different than a big V8, you won’t feel as though you’ve been short-changed in the fun department. Power steering and power disc brakes mean it’s easy to handle, especially with several hundred fewer pounds over the front axle. The 4-speed shifts beautifully and clutch action is light (another benefit of the six). Out back there’s a familiar GM 10-bolt axle with 3.55 gears inside, so it’s quick off the line and with that smooth-spinning six, highway cruising is effortless. The exhaust features a Flowmaster muffler, so it has a great six-cylinder growl, and you’ll note that the lines, hoses, and shocks are fresh so it rides right. And those red inner fender liners are just plain cool. It’s also worth noting that it’s sitting on $4000 worth of Hurst wheels, trim rings, and center caps, along with a brand new set of beautiful 215/70/14 redline radials that look exactly right.

Documentation includes the original owner’s manual, a salesman’s data manual, aftermarket wiring diagram, and PHS paperwork authenticating the car. The original AM/FM radio is also included.

We know a lot of guys will overlook this car—just as they did in 1966—because it doesn’t have a V8. That’s OK, this isn’t for them anyway. But if you’re someone who appreciates the unusual, has a taste for something that likes to rev, and wants to stand out in a crowd, this Lemans gets everything right. We hesitate to say it’s the best of its kind, but look at the photos and you tell us. Either way, it’s beautiful. If that’s your kind of fun, give us a call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.